What is Amnesty International?
Amnesty International (Al) is a human rights advocacy group with around 7 million members all over the world. The members are united in their desire to see a society where everyone has access to basic human rights, regardless of background or religious affiliation.
It was founded in 1961 by the lawyer Peter Benenson and is headquartered in the United Kingdom. It is registered as a not for profit organisation and raises awareness about human rights violations and works to ensure that international laws and norms are followed. It does so by mobilising public opinion and it hopes to exert pressure on governments that are complicit in the abuse they are perpetrating.
It was also awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1977.
What is the mission and purpose of Amnesty International?
Amnesty International envisions a world in which everyone has access to all of the human rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.
Since its founding in 1961, Amnesty International has worked to enhance all human rights by doing research and taking action to help prevent and end abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of religion or belief, and the right to be treated fairly.
Amnesty International has developed a worldwide network of human rights defenders on international solidarity, effective action for individual victims, global coverage and universality and indivisibility of human rights, impartiality and independence in democracy and mutual respect on ideals of respect.
A wide range of groups and states work with Amnesty International, including governments, international organisations, armed political groups, corporations, and non-governmental organisations.
Amnesty International's mission is to correctly, rapidly, and consistently document human rights abuses. It systematically and fairly probes the facts of individual instances and trends in human rights abuses. They publish their findings in order to raise awareness and pressure on governments and others to put an end to human rights abuses.
Among other things, Amnesty International works to end specific human rights violations and promotes the rule of law and the ratification and implementation of human rights standards. It also conducts a wide range of human rights education activities and encourages individuals, intergovernmental organisations, and all organs of society to support and respect human rights.
Is Amnesty International politically aligned?
Amnesty International is politically, ideologically, economically, and religiously agnostic. No particular government or political system is supported or opposed, nor are the perspectives of the victims whose rights it tries to safeguard supported or opposed by the organisation. Its sole focus is on safeguarding human rights as a means to an end.
Many people around the world support and join Amnesty International's campaign.
This movement is democratic and self-reliant.